Research On Shanghai Private Primary Schools In The Period Of The Republic Of China

New-type private primary schools in modern China initially emerged in the form of so-called Bible Class established by foreign missionaries in the Late Qing Dynasty.Subsequently,Zhang Huanlun set up Zhengmeng Academy in 1878,which acted as the beginning of real modern primary school education of China.Entering the Republic of China,private primary schools established by Chinese compatriots in Shanghai witnessed further development evidenced by increasing standardization and leading performance nationwide,thus they occupy important status in China’s private primary schools modernization process.The main research object of this paper are the private primary schools founded by Chinese compatriots in the period of the Republic of China.On the foundation of collecting enormous historical materials,the paper uses the literature analysis method,the statistical method and the comparative method to clarify the development of private primary schools in the chronological order,and then explores its development elements such as the main body for running schools and funding sources,the curriculum and teaching,teachers and students etc.according to the classification of special subjects.Later,this paper takes Chengzhong Primary School as a case study to explore the specific operation situation of this school.Finally,the paper summarizes the development characteristics of Shanghai private primary schools in the period of the Republic of China.According to the study,private primary schools in Shanghai in the period of the Republic of China embraced a variety of school-running bodies and extensive funding sources---the former includes five major parts:gentry merchants,intellectuals,townsmen association,trade association and labour union;the latter are mainly tuition and miscellaneous fees,public and private donation,industrial revenue,government subsidy and bank loans.As for curriculum and teaching,private primary schools,through combining local authority order with the practical needs of students and the status of Shanghai as a commercial metropolis,opened up several pragmatic courses and arranged longer English class hour.Besides,to pursue better teaching effects,these schools,based on specific school condition,adopted different teaching styles and methods and launched various teaching activities.Concerning faculty components,teachers were of different qualifications but with high management standard.For students,the schools practiced stringent management and advocated autonomy.Students were mostly from affluent families in the regions of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.To note,the schools were also open to students of humble origin,through such approaches as providing tuition waiver.